Free 7 26/27

The Free 7 is Marker's junior binding, with a release range of 2 to 7 built for skiers roughly 53 to 165 pounds. It is a full alpine binding rather than a scaled-down novelty, using the same release principles as the adult range in a lighter package sized for a growing skier.

Seven is the ceiling and a strong junior will pass it, usually about the same time they outgrow the boots. That is the nature of buying for a child rather than a flaw, and it is worth planning for a change in a season or two.

For young skiers moving off rental gear onto their own setup. A teenager already skiing aggressively on adult-length skis should be looking at the Squire instead.

Release values get set against weight, height, boot sole length and ability, and they need rechecking every season as a kid grows. Bring the boots in with the skis.

Getting a child onto a binding set properly for them, rather than whatever the rental shop had, makes a bigger difference to how they ski than almost anything else you can buy.